Fingernail filer



March 1, 1938. TROYA 2,109,580

FINGERNAIL FILER Fi'led May 4, 1957 INVENTOR, HENRY T/PO n4.

BY I & x ATTORNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FIN GERNAIL FILER Henry Troya,

Inglewood, Calif.

Application May 4, 1937, Serial No. 140,653

Claims.

My invention relates to finger nail filers, and more particularly, to a device wherein the finger nail may be filed in a predetermined shape and by a predetermined amount.

The main object of my invention is to provide an improved finger nail filer wherein the depth of filing may be controlled and wherein a predetermined shape may be obtained.

Other objects of my invention will be apparent or will be specifically pointed out in the description forming a part of this specification, but I do not limit myself to the embodiment of the invention herein described, as various forms may be adopted within the scope of the claims.

Other broad objects of my invention may be more fully understood by direct reference to the drawing, wherein Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of a preferred form of my invention.

Figure 2 is a front view in elevation of the device shown in Figure 1, and

Figure 3 is a top view in elevation.

As I desire my device to be applicable to finger tips of various sizes and shapes, I prefer to form 25 a finger tip flesh presser having two halves, l and 2, joined at the end of the finger by a hinge 3. Inasmuch as I prefer to extend the hinge at substantially right angles to the general plane of the finger nail, the two halves I and 2 of the flesh presser may be rotated toward and away from each other so that they will accomodate fingers of different sizes. Each half of the flesh presser is shaped at its upper edge 4 to fit beneath the finger nail. These edges register and are formed to a predetermined contour, as determined by the shape of the nail desired.

A pair of file members 5 are provided, of slightly curved shape, and are joined by file screws 9 to the ends I of a scissors member 8. An extension 9 of scissor hinge pin Ill extends toward the flesh presser and terminates in a bearing H through which flesh presser hinge pin l2 passes. The extension 9' is also provided with an operating hinge l 4 so that files 5 may be pressed against the nail 15 of a finger l6 when mounted on the flesh presser in such a position that the files will bear against the free edge of the nail. Each file 5 is also provided with stops I! so that when the files are bearing against the nail l5, and as the nail is filed down, stops II will engage edge 4 of the flesh presser and thus prevent further filing. The files are at a slight angle to the nail, and are concave to prevent loss of contact with the nail edge.

In operation, the finger tip is placed on the flesh presser in such a manner that the edge 4 contacts the finger beneath the nail, pushing the flesh away from the nail. By using the fingers of the same handithe, two ends of the flesh presser may be pressed together, thus locking the device on the finger. Then, with two fingers of the other hand operating the scissors member, the files 5 are brought to bear against the free edge of the nail. The scissors are then operated by the fingers, making a two-movement action, back and forth at a slight inclination, and opening and closing the scissors to move the files around the finger nail edge. The backward and forward motion is necessary because when the scissors are open the files will be at the outer ends of the free edge of the nail. The operation is finished when the stops I 1 engage the edge 4 of the flesh presser. Inasmuch as the nail may not be perfectly smooth at the end where the two files touch, the scissors as a whole may be moved around hinge pin l2 in order to remove the roughness at this point, or the scissors as a whole may be moved slightly during the filing operation so that the files do not touch at exactly the same point at each stroke.

Each nail will, of course, be filed to exactly the same shape and by exactly the same amount, thus providing a pleasing result. Furthermore, the edge of the nail isalways. filed at the same angle, leaving the full thickness, and. therefore breakage of nails is minimized. Files of varying fineness may also be provided. I do not, therefore, desire to be limited to any particular style or shape of files.

I claim:

1. A finger nail filer comprising a finger member shaped to press the flesh below the nail away from the nail around the free edge thereof, a file, and means for directing said file around the free edge of said nail, said file and said member cooperating to shape the nail into. a predetermined contour.

2. A finger nail filer comprising, a finger member shaped to press the flesh below the nail away from the'nail around the free edge thereof, said member having an outwardly projecting edge of predetermined contour, a file, means for directing said file around the free edge of said naiLsaid file having stop means thereon finally engaging said edge to determine shape and to terminate filing action.

3. A finger nail filer comprising a finger member shaped to press the flesh below the nail away operating with a stop on each file to limit the depth of filing and to determine shape of the nail.

5. A finger n-ail file in accordance with claim 1, the finger member being hinged at the end of the finger to accommodate fingers of varying size and 5 shape.

HENRY TROYA. 

